Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson has called out Britain’s “snowflake” generation, accusing people who are “easily offended” of pulling society backward.
The former wrestler told the Daily Star that he respects everyone’s right to be themselves, but not for them to use that identity to restrict other peoples’ right to free speech.
“I don’t have to agree with what somebody thinks, who they vote for, what they voted for, what they think,” the Hollywood action star said, “but I will back their right to say or believe it. That’s democracy.”
The 49-year-old celebrity told the news outlet he believes haste to claim victim status stands in stark contrast to the values for which America’s war heroes fought and died.
“So many good people fought for freedom and equality—but this generation are looking for a reason to be offended. If you are not agreeing with them then they are offended—and that is not what so many great men and women fought for.”
Johnson added, “We thankfully now live in a world that has progressed over the last 30 or 40 years. People can be who they want, be with who they want, and live how they want. That can only be a good thing—but generation snowflake, or whatever you want to call them, are actually putting us backwards.”
Johnson, who hosts and produces television show “The Titan Games” in which contestants compete in grueling physical and mental challenges, posted a gif on Twitter recently in praise of grit.
“The people who inspire me are those who dig deep,” his message reads, “they get back up and they keep fighting.”
‘I’m Shocked’
The Rock made the comments to the Daily Star in the context of controversy around the use of female promotional models at Formula One races, known as “grid girls.”
Last year, F1 managing director of commercial operations Sean Bratches told BBC that the organization was doing away with “grid girls” in its promotions because it “does not resonate with our brand values and clearly is at odds with modern-day societal norms.”
Female models made headlines more recently at a British farm show. During the Jan. 9 Lamma show in Birmingham, agricultural firm Agrifac posted on Twitter pictures of women in red figure-hugging dresses posing with competition winners and in front of tractors, triggering some.
Kate Lord, a farm park manager from Gloucestershire, wrote on Twitter Jan. 9 that exhibitors who rely on “grid girls” to attract expo-goers send the wrong message.
“What an embarrassment for our industry and an insult to the women who work in it,” she wrote.
It’s 2019 for goodness sake @AgrifacUKLtd. What an embarrassment for our industry and an insult to the women who work in it. @FarmersWeekly @FarmersGuardian @janecraigie #agrichatUK thoughts please. https://t.co/ruSkktTovF
— Kate Lord (@CotswoldKate) January 9, 2019
Carol Lishman, director of the agricultural manufacturers Martin Lishman, wrote, “Embarrassing photo and not great for encouraging women in this industry, disappointing this is still happening.”
But one of the models, Melissa Sharp, told the BBC that her role at the event was “harmless,” and she was there to “promote the brand and to engage with customers as anyone does at a normal job.”
In an interview with Sky News, Sharp said she was “shocked that women are turning on women.”
“People referring to us as blonde Barbie bombshells with no brain cells is disgusting,” she told the BBC.
Lord later clarified her position in a subsequent Twitter post, saying the agricultural industry “needs to improve its image to recruit skilled women and girls into the sector.”
“I’ve no doubt the models are fabulous at what they do and wish them all the best in their own career choices. I’ve no doubt the models are fabulous at what they do and wish them all the best in their own career choices.”
Minette Batters, the first female president of the National Farmers’ Union, was quoted in The Times saying taking part was up to the women.
“It is all about choice,” she said. “It is those girls’ right and I absolutely defend that.”
from Entertainment | The Epoch Times http://bit.ly/2CimPbt
